Viva Taqueria — Restaurant in Modesto

This is a hard review to write. Straight up, these people were super nice, super attentive. We got carry out and still were treated really well. Food arrival was a little slow, but we came in at the end of the lunch rush, so I get that.

I don't usually venture out, but our favorite taco truck is inexplicably and inexcusably absent this week. We were looking for something that would hit the spot, and hopefully for something we could hit up when this happens again.

While we waited for our food, the counter staff personally greeted everyone who walked in, and thanked everyone who walked out. I know a lot of places that put in a best effort in this area, and these folks really nailed it. Even while having a conversation with someone I assume was a close friend or relation, the counter lady broke her conversation with them to thank a group that was leaving. EXCELLENT SERVICE!

Given that, I really wanted to like the food. Honestly, I was prepared to forgive a lot for how kind the counter staff was. I got Pastor street tacos and the carne fries with Pastor. The tacos were not terrible. The pastor was on the sweet side, for me. My coworker said probably because they used actual pineapple, which is not super common. But even given the use of real ingredients, the meat was a LITTLE on the fatty side, and could have used some crisping to help develop the flavors. The salsas used on the tacos could have been spicier AND more flavorful. Probably a 2 or 3 out of 5 stars.

The carne fries with pastor were just not good. The pico de gallo used on them was watery and bland. The cheese was just not awesome. While salted fries could end up with a tendency to make the dish too salty, this offering just lacked flavor.

I could have caught these guys on a bad day...wiped out after the lunch rush. At time of writing, they have 4.4 * and I have to assume those are well-earned stars, but my experience with this food was not good, and I had to...

Every time I head over to Viva Taqueria, I know I'm in for a good time. The place is always buzzing, and the moment you walk in, you're hit with a bunch of great choices. I'm a big fan of Mexican food, so I make it a point to try something different every visit. Haven't been let down yet! The rice and beans? Spot on. It might seem small, but getting those right says a lot about everything else they serve up.

Price-wise, it's perfect for me. I usually end up spending around $10-20, which feels just about right for the quality and the amount of food you get. It's my first choice when I'm out and craving Mexican.

They've got this salsa bar that's always fresh, and catching a soccer game on the TV just adds to the vibe. I enjoy soccer, so this is a big plus in my book. Also, I must say, the staff are great with requests. During the Super Bowl, they switched the channel for some guests, no hassle, for them and their family & friends who all wanted some Mexican food and enjoy the game. It's those little things, you know?

But really, it all comes back to the food for me—outstanding. I've even told the staff how much I enjoy this place. Everyone's got their own tastes of course, which I appreciate, but for me, Viva Taqueria definitely in the top 5 Mexican spots on my list. Great food, fair prices, in a cool spot where you can chill and maybe catch a game.

So, Viva Taqueria isn't just another restaurant to me; it's where I head to when I want a guaranteed good meal and a good time. Definitely recommend it to anyone looking for solid Mexican cuisine in a...

Genuinely baffled that this place rates as high as it does given how mediocre it is in an area with a ton of spectacular Mexican food.

I order a wet carne asada burrito. What I got was something with maybe a dusting of green salsa (and it's $1.50 extra for this. If it was just a free option I wouldn't complain). The tortilla was dry, tough, and chewy in some parts and damp and fragile in others. The rice tasted watery. The carne asada itself had no flavor or seasoning. Not a whiff of cheese to speak of in any portion of the burrito despite the nice lady at the counter clearly telling me it should have.

Look, I'm normally not one to nitpick. But at the salsa bar, the pickled carrots and radishes weren't on ice or even part of the bar- they were in cloudy cafeteria containers on a table pulled up haphazardly beside the bar, and the veggies within looked ancient- the carrots were completely dry. I don't care of a salsa bar is perfectly fresh, but allowing the carrots to completely dry like that ruins their taste and texture, so it's a legitimate issue.

Oh, and no free water despite being a brick-and-mortar establishment. At this point, Las Delicias is half a mile down Mariposa- I would have been much better going there. The cost of a burrito plus drink here is even in price...